It’s almost that time of year when you need to start making that list and checking it twice. Nope, not Christmas—college shopping season!

We’ve got the ultimate college shopping list for you, breaking it down by the “sections” of your dorm room. When it comes to packing for college, you only want the essentials at first, as you will accumulate a ton over the course of your academic year. Rather than overpacking, we’ve narrowed it down to the “Bare Necessities.”

Communal showers aren’t so bad, especially when your shower caddy can carry all of the essentials you need (i.e. you won’t be juggling shampoo and conditioner like an inept clown).

Dirty Laundry

1. Laundry detergent
2. Laundry basket
3. Laundry hamper/bag

Yep, the free ride’s over. Mom and Dad are no longer around to wash your clothes for you. If you like dryer sheets, by all means add them to the list, but they aren’t necessary.

Storage Wars

1. Storage bins
2. Hangers
3. Underbed storage

As college students, you will gain the ability to pack a lot of stuff into a small space, so all of those years of playing Tetris will finally pay off. Storage bins are great for storing shoes, outerwear, and other things that don’t always need to be out and about.

Typically, most college dorms provide twin-long beds to students, so you want to make sure you have twin-long bedding supplies. Also, a few comfy pillows can sometimes take the place of chairs when friends come over to hang out.

That’s Entertainment

1. TV
2. DVD player
3. iPod
4. iHome stereo

These might not be necessary, per se, but when it’s a Saturday afternoon and you don’t feel like studying, they will seem like godsends. If TV isn’t on your list of essentials, often lounges supply this form of entertainment. Also, talk with your roommate to see if he or she has a TV to bring (you don’t want to have duplicates!).

Chances are if you’re in the dorms you may not have your own kitchen. However, communal lounges tend to have sinks to do dishes and maybe a few ovens to do some light cooking. You want to make sure you have something to eat on if you have an unexpected movie night with your hallmates.

Techno Logic

1. Laptop
2. Surge protector
3. External hard drive

When it comes to on-campus computer labs, you can often utilize the printers they have. So while you may want to add a printer to this list, find out whether there’s free printing on campus. You could save some money (and some space when you pack up your car!).

This list also depends on what is supplied by the college. For example, if your dorm room has carpeting, then you won’t need a carpet (or probably a Swiffer!), but you may need a mini-vac (unless you can borrow one from your residence hall).

Before you even twist the knob to your room, you want to find out from the school what will already be there so you can pack accordingly. It will make the move much easier so that once you arrive to campus, you won’t look at your pile of stuff and think, “Where is all of THIS gonna go?”

What are you including in your college packing list? What would you suggest an incoming freshman bring? Tell us in a comment below.

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Always bring a first aid kit. The likelihood of needing it is probably small, but at least various sizes of bandages, alcohol wipes, antibacterial goop, and mild painkillers/anti-inflammatory stuff (ibuprofen etc.). It’ll clear up any small-ish injuries, and let you patch up until you can get to someone to take care of any big ones. You never know when the plastic cutlery is going to turn on you.

Other things to include are a pendrive/gigstick/memorystick for transport of your files to a computer where you can print. The online site Dropbox.com provides free online storage as well. Depending on the college, a bike might also be a good idea if you do not have or want to deal with a car. Other random items are: favorite microwavable mug, hand sanitizer, hand lotion, at least one set of semi-formal clothing (for job interview, etc), extra set of headphones (if you lose them as often as I do), graphing calculator, alarm clock, emergency ramen stash, Advil, thumbtacks/Scotch tape, reusable waterbottle, tiny sewing kit, and sunglasses. Not everything you find will be necessary, but most is hope is helpful.

This is a great list! If you want a complete packing checklist as an app there are two great college packing checklist apps for mobile phones and tablets one for girls called “The College Checklist” and another called “The College Checklist for Guys”. Do a search for “college checklist app”

This is fine if your college is within driving distance. I go to college across the country so I am extremely limited on what I reasonably bring on a plane. I’ve yet to see a list that doesn’t assume we all go to college close to home. I learned the hard way that the post office will become your best friend and that you will learn how to live without a lot of the above items.

@Megan: @Megan: @Stephanie:
I would definitely suggest doing your shopping when you get to your college. Anything you can buy at home can be bought when you arrive! I know that Bed Bath and Beyond will let you put together a list of all the items you want and they will have it ready to pick up at the store near your school.

Stephanie: I ordered online from Bed Bath & Beyond and Wal-Mart and had items shipped to the store nearest my school (which is across country from my home). You may even be able to ship your online order directly to your dorm address.

Don’t underestimate curtains! The dorm I will be staying in does not come with curtains and I’m not some kind of early bird either. Sun-cancelling or just light ones will do to sabotage any unwanted sunlight. Also invest in a few locks for a bike or storage box that you don’t want anyone getting in to! I actually received locks as a gift, not knowing what I needed them for at first.

Target!! My daughter is going 8 hours away for college and will be in a small town. Fortunately, there is a target!! She will share a suite style dorm room with 3 or 4 other girls so I told her to hold off on buying things like a mini microwave or DVD player until she gets there- if all four girls bring a microwave – what a waste! So, she will be stocked with her personal essentials and target gift cards galore!! Great ideas, everyone!!

I was able to tour my dorm room while at orientation and noticed that my closet, while it had doors, they were mirrors on the outside facing to room so any light in the room was reflecting EVERYWHERE and am going to get a set of curtains to put up over my closet so that this does not happen at night when i am trying to sleep. Might be something to consider if anyone else has a similar situation.

All of the above comments included lots of helpful items. I would add one thing: Toilet paper! Dorm or off campus apartment, after 6 years of moving my younglings, I have yet to find a college that provides it! (unless you’re in a communal-type living facility, I guess). Also add shower curtain and first aid kit, including over the counter cold remedies. When you get sick, you don’t want to or have time or energy to go running to the store. Have a great year!

[...] bet useful things. Have your friends all buy something small that a typical student runs out of or needs on a daily basis…BUT make sure anything they buy is green. If it’s not green, they can’t play. If [...]

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